Parents of children newly diagnosed with ADHD are often overwhelmed with emotion and unsure of what to do next. Some parents are relieved to finally have a name for their child’s bullying; For these families, the diagnosis of ADHD brings answers and a sense of clarity. Others feel the opposite: instead of relief, they find themselves in denial or anger about the diagnosis. And for many parents, the diagnosis of ADHD just brings a new set of questions, especially if their child has previously been diagnosed with a different disorder. Here are some tips on coping with your child’s new diagnosis.

Consider how the diagnosis was made.

Before you hit the panic button, take a look at how the doctor arrived at the diagnosis. Hyperactive behavior, forgetfulness, and inattention seem obvious points to ADHD, but did you know that these are also symptoms of unrelated health conditions? Sensory processing disorder, for example, is another common childhood condition characterized by poor attention spans. Ideally, doctors should take note of a child’s medical history and environment, and test for similar disorders before reaching a diagnosis of ADHD. An accurate diagnosis is not possible if all the doctor did was observe your child’s symptoms. If this is what happened, consider seeking a second opinion elsewhere.

understand the disorder

If there’s no doubt that ADHD is at the root of your child’s problems, it’s time to arm yourself with knowledge. Find out all you can about ADHD: its causes, related problems, and the latest treatment options. You will soon discover that there are more treatments for ADHD than stimulant medications; ADHD can be treated without your child swallowing a single pill. Some popular natural treatments for ADHD include neurofeedback, diets, and behavioral therapy. Discuss these options with your doctor and see if they can help your child.

Modify your child’s environment

ADHD symptoms can be reduced by making changes to your child’s environment. Some things you can do include:

• Establish a bedtime routine to help your child get enough sleep; Studies show that poor sleep habits can exacerbate hyperactivity and inattention.
• Encourage responsibility by assigning chores to your child.
• Designate a quiet room or corner in the house for studying and doing homework. Make sure this area is free of distractions, ie away from the TV or toys.
• Consider reducing the amount of sugary foods, fast foods, and processed foods in your child’s diet, and replace them with green leafy vegetables, meat, and fish. Research suggests that ADHD symptoms may be caused by a nutritional deficiency, due to children’s preference for unhealthy foods.

Join a support group

One of the best ways to cope with a diagnosis is to join an ADHD support group. Other parents of children with ADHD will be happy to provide you with tips and advice on managing your child’s symptoms and coping with the challenges of the disorder. At a minimum, a support group will give you a sympathetic ear when things get especially stressful.